Nothing – stay warm! Watch your backyard feeders

Join the WSO, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, to get access to many field trips throughout the state led by excellent birders. With a WSO membership you will also get the Badger Birder-a monthly newsletter, the Passenger Pigeon Journal covering ornithology research in Wisconsin, dibs on registering for the May Convention and you will be supporting the state’s only statewide bird club.

Join here: https://wsobirds.org/

Bird from your window, the Great Backyard Bird Count is Feb 16-19. Bird your yard and eBird it on those 4 days. This provides a valuable point count of winter birds. Learn more here: https://www.birdcount.org/

Milwaukee Bird Trivia Night! What do you think?! Want to get together and play bird trivia? Thinking a downtown location in February or March. Could be for Happy Hour or start later. Let us know your thoughts! Please answer our three question survey so we can plan for maximum attendance.

Answer our burning questions here: https://forms.gle/GwQV3AbtpCNigJGBA

Last Week:

South Shore Yacht Club had the usuals along with an uncommon American Black Duck. At the Coast Guard Impoundment, a Great Black-Backed Gull was identified though we never got a flash of that great black back. At Bradford Beach, two Red-throated Loons and a couple of White-winged Scoters were spotted. The trip continued north up the lake stopping at Coal Dock park in Pt Washington. There we found a Dunlin hopping among the rocks on the south side of the channel. And some American Pipits were seen walking along the path on the east end of the park. 

Read the whole trip report here: https://wsobirds.org/about-wso/news/1924-milwaukee-lakefront-2024-field-trip-report

See how good those WSO trip leaders are! Join WSO – go on more field trips

Ongoing Bird Walks:

Second Saturday (Nov-March) 11:00am Duck Watch on Lincoln Memorial Drive -east side heading north of Bradford Beach up the hill -yellow highlighted area. Look for all the people and scopes.

DUCK WATCH CANCELLED JAN 13 – Rescheduled for Jan 27

Sundays 9:00am Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society Bird Walk
Wehr Nature Center 9701 W College Ave
Tues 8:00am Urban Ecology Center, Menomonee Valley 3700 W Pierce St
Wed 8:00am Urban Ecology Center Washington Park 4023 W Galena St
Thurs 8:00am Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park 1500 E Park Place

Upcoming:

Plant Physiology for Fun class
Thursdays Jan 18 – Feb 29 4:40-6:30pm
Urban Ecology Center – Riverside Park
Great class, Register here: https://30781a.blackbaudhosting.com/30781a/Plant-Physiology-for-Fun

“OUR SWALLOWS ARE IN TROUBLE” with Ozaukee Washington Birding Coalition
Feb. 14 (Wednesday) at 7 p.m.

Aerial Insectivores in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest —  Ecology and Changing Populations by Bill Mueller, director emeritus, Lake Michigan Bird Observatory

There is growing concern about the apparent population decline of many “aerial insectivores” – those species that feed on their insect prey in flight. These species belong to several avian orders and families that include swallows and martins, Chimney Swifts, some forest flycatchers, plus nightjars such as whip-poor-wills and nighthawks. In this presentation, Bill will primarily focus on three of the swallows found across the Upper Midwest: Purple Martin, Bank Swallow and Barn Swallow. Mueller is an ornithologist and conservation biologist,
Hybrid live and Zoom program at Riveredge Nature Center; no registration required.

To join Zoom meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89709885811?pwd=wWr592l3KpdDTTzxxHTG0IF5KTph7M.1

Meeting ID: 897 0988 5811

Passcode: 719624

Carpool caravan field trip in Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Washington Counties
Feb. 17 (Saturday) at 7 a.m. with Ozaukee Washington Birding Coalition

In search of overwintering birds and rarities, we’ll begin at 7 a.m. at Coal Dock Park in Port Washington; no signup required.

PLAN WAY AHEAD:

Book a spot in a bird blind to watch Sharp-tailed Grouse mating dance.

Book through Namekagon Wildlife Barrens.. View dates are April and May on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays

https://www.namekagonbarrens.org/2024/01/12/the-2024-viewing-blind-reservation-schedule-is-open-on-the-friends-of-the-namekagon-barrens-wildlife-area-website/

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